Meta Jane Brooks

Meta Jane Brooks, 91, of Shelbyville, died Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, at Morristown Manor, in Morristown. Born Oct. 8, 1914, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, she was the daughter of the late George and Imogene (Virden) Masters. She married Louis Brooks Dec. 8, 1951, and he preceded her in death Dec. 25, 1981. Survivors include four sons, Michael (wife, Lynne) Brooks of Shelbyville, Tom (wife, Linda) Brooks of Cedar Falls, Iowa, John (wife, Ann) Brooks of Green Valley, Ariz., and Dan (friend, Jeri) Brooks of LaSalle, Ill.; five grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren. Mrs. Brooks graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College, where she received a bachelor of science degree in home economics. She was later awarded an honorary doctorate degree from that school for her work in developing the science building on campus. She was a home economics teacher, retiring in 1985 after 16 years in education. Mrs. Brooks also was employed as a county home Extension director in Iowa; as director of home economics for Borg Warner Corp.; as a home economics teacher in LaSalle, Ill., where she founded the food service vocational program; and as a school bus attendant in Melbourne, Fla. She was a member of the PEO and Alpha Xi Delta sorority. Mrs. Brooks moved to Shelbyville in 1999 and was a resident of McKay Manor until she moved to Morristown Manor two years ago. Friends and family may gather at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Carmony-Ewing Harrison Street Chapel, Freeman Family Funeral Homes, 819 S. Harrison St. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dr. Mary Lundgren and the Rev. Corlis Dees officiating. Interment will be in Forest Home Cemetery, in Mount Pleasant. Memorial contributions may be donated to Hospice of Shelby County, 110 South Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.